Deng, 25, hit three three-pointers and scored 14 of his 19 field goal attempts as the Bulls won 110-98.

It was a second win of the season for the Bulls and ended the Blazers three-game winning start.

The 6ft 9in small forward's previous career high came in 2007 when he scored 38 points again against Portland.

Point guard Derrick Rose also played a key role in the victory with 16 points and 13 assists.

But it was Deng the Sudan-born player also receiving praise for his defence after keeping Blazers' All Star guard Brandon Roy quiet throughout the game, restricting him to scoring from only four of his 12 field-goal attempts.

The Bulls are next in action on Thursday when they host the New York Knicks and then are away to the Boston Celtics, last season's NBA finalists, on Friday.

Deng was instrumental as Great Britain won six of eight qualifiers to reach next year's European Championships and in the process greatly increased their chances of competing in the 2012 Olympics.

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